More than 150 people came together in just six days to donate $13,000 so Robert Bennett could stay in his Annapolis home. "There's some good people in this world," said the 72-year-old retired Naval Academy cook. "I'm really thankful because I wouldn't even know how to start to get that money right now." Problem is, his lawyers discovered he needs another $3,000, so the online GoFundMe campaign is still going. Bennett has to come up with $13,000 to remain in his Drew Street home of 40 years.

Although the housing market continues to recover, there's one important segment of the market that is lagging behind: the important first-time home buyers. At first blush, many would think that people in their prime earning years drive the housing market and account for the majority of home sales. But it's actually the younger ones, those just starting out who, through new household formations, purchase most of the homes sold each year.